Just in time for the holidays, The Old Schoolhouse®Magazine presents Christmas Greetings, our free 2011 digital holiday supplement.

Download your free copy of Christmas Greetings. Then spread the word and share the link with your homeschool group, friends, and family!

With our new Digital Edition, you will enjoy all the great content from your favorite homeschool magazine, but in a new format--digital!

"I so much appreciate receiving these "minutes"! They take a short time to browse through, and I am almost always left with a good 'take-away' thought to chew on. I enjoy the good ideas and insights, and always the encouragement from Todd to enjoy life and not feel guilty or overwhelmed or pressured."

-Debbie, THM Reader

"Thank you so very much! I so needed to read what was in today's newsletter and was encouraged by it indeed!"

-Teresa, THM Reader

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"Keep up the great work! We need all the good tips and advice you ladies have to offer, but people like me need Todd's humor and reminders to relax sometimes too. You're all doing a great job and balance each other out nicely."

-Krista, THM Reader

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"Thanks for talking about being weary! I needed to hear that I am not the only one. Thanks for being so encouraging and for the wonderful resources. I just wanted you to know that what you do makes a big difference!"

-Rebecca, THM Reader

If you like The Homeschool Minute, you won't want to miss a single issue of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine!

"I want you to know how much I appreciate the weekly HomeschoolMinute. I absolutely

love it!!! It has given me such encouragement and direction. I look forward each week to see what the topic is."

-Carrie, THM Reader

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"Happy birthday, TOS! Got our Spring issue this weekend . . . my first time reading it . . . all I can say is Wow! Wow! Wow! This is exactly what we needed! Thank you so much for all you do to encourage, educate, and support Christian homeschooling families all over the world!"

I love to write Christmas letters, only this time of year finds me extremely busy right now. The last few years, I have had my older children write the Christmas letters for us. They have turned out beautifully, and I have loved their perspective and so have friends and relatives. This year even my big kids are extremely busy, so we just might not get one out. The next few weeks will tell.

At this time of year in everything we do, even the cards and letters, we always try to keep things Christ-focused; as I am sure you do as well. I don't have much to say about the writing of these Christmas letters (except don't feel guilty if you don't get one done this year!). So what I offer you today are scriptures I have found that relate to Christmas from Genesis to Revelation. I hope this helps you to keep things Christ-focused.

I have to run to my monthly homeschool group meeting, and I mean run! Seems like everything I do these days begins with the word "run"! So if you have that same problem, let me encourage you to run to your Father and get His perspective on this temporary life and the provision through His Son (that baby Jesus) for more than just this temporary life--but, blessed, glorious, eternal life with Him forever!

LETTERS MAKE WORDS is a MUST-HAVE new app for your Apple iPad! It just makes sense! Learn to make letters and put them together, and your young child is writing and reading! Letters Make Words is easy, fun handwriting and phonics instruction. It's the latest from Barchowsky Fluent Handwriting.

Engage your kids with sharks, dolphins, clownfish, and more-then teach them science, English and math! Bring the real ocean into your home or homeschool co-op today with award-winning books, DVDs, posters, lesson plans, and more by Ocean Annie Crawley, founder of www.DiveIntoYourImagination.com. Free shipping for you at www.AnnieCrawley.com/store.

Gena is away from THM this week, but she'll return soon. If you didn't get a copy of Gena's new E-Book you can still get a copy FREE! Simply spend $25 in the Schoolhouse Store. And right now $25 will get you some great deals.

Stock up on back issues in print. The Winter Warehouse Wipeout, valued at $104.75, is only $25. You'll get a bunch of back issues, some warehouse books, extra goodies, Homeschooling with Heart tote bag, and more--and shipping is free (U.S. only). Grab a couple for Christmas gifts. Take a look at this offer here.

This year, my son Sam (16) created a Christmas animated short that we're using as OUR Familyman Christmas card. I hope you enjoy it.

The Nutcracker by Sam Wilson (16)

Be real,

Todd

P.S. Still looking for a great Christmas gift for your hubby? Have I got a deal for you! Once again, we're offering the world's best gifts for dads. Your husband will love all the fun and practical advice offered in the 2012 You 'da Dad Daily Calendar. You'll also want to get him our latest book, 365 Day Dad. It offers 365 days of laugh-out-loud, real encouragement in being a father and husband. Round out your gift with a very cool Familyman cap, sure to make every dad proud to be a familyman.

Now here's the super deal part. If you order TODAY, you'll receive our audio book It Smells Like Home for FREE (two CDs). But wait . . . there's more: We'll also throw in a Familyman vinyl window sticker. That's a $15 value for FREE. So what are you waiting for? Order right now!

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One of the things I have always loved about Dr. Beechick's writing is how she takes things made complex by the world and makes them simple enough for us all to understand and feel like we can put them into practice successfully. She is rare among educators, because although she has the credentials to say things in a way that would put others in an inferior position, she never does. Her heart is truly to build others up and strengthen them to do what they have been called to do with peace and confidence. Where does the security come from to focus on benefitting others and not placing the focus on yourself? From knowing who you are, or more importantly, whose you are.

Why is this principle important? We have an opportunity to teach our children how to do the same thing. As you celebrate this season of blessing, take every opportunity to point your children to the author of all of our benefits: our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He came into this world to fulfill a mission-to obediently follow His Father's direction until the gulf that existed between men and God was gone, washed away by His perfect sacrifice. He could have walked before us on earth as someone who was unapproachable-His perfection and power made Him so distant from sinful men. But he didn't. He ate with those who were rejected because of their sin. He touched those who were untouched because of their diseases. He spoke with those who were considered unworthy because of their failures. In so many ways, He crossed the gap of our helplessness and inability to save ourselves and He brought us near to Him, with great tenderness and affection.

As you write your Christmas letters this year, cross the divide between you and those who are far from our Lord by speaking of His love for us all. Cross the divide between you and those who have not had an easy time of it this year by speaking of His generous faithfulness during trials. Let's cross the divide to others this year by sending heartfelt blessings to them, by lifting them up and encouraging them with stories of appreciation of what they have meant to us. Let your Christmas letters be about others this year. You'll never know how much closer you might bring them to your Savior.

How to Make Sure Your Child Is Not Among the 34% That Struggle with Reading.

Schola Publication - 3rd Webinar

Illustory is a kit for creating one's own book. The kit contains instructions, a story web planner, two cover pages, 18 book pages, an order form, 10 washable markers, a postage-paid envelope, and information about completing the book online. The kit price of $21.95 includes one finished book with no return shipping fee. The finished book is a 7- by 9-inch hardcover. There are options for ordering additional copies of your book, making additions to your book, etc. (. . .)

You can make your pictures right on the pages provided, or you can make them on your choice of papers, scan them and insert them into the online pages, and then type your words in at the same time. That is what we opted to do. You can even pick the color of your book cover. This has been an experience I would not have missed for the world. (. . .)

TO ENTER:Email Deb with your name, mailing address, and phone number for contact purposes, with the subject line "Illustory" for a chance to win* this great resource!

*Disclaimer and Legal Notice:The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC ("Company") is sponsoring the November Contest Central contest running from November 1, 2011, to November 30, 2011. You must be 18 years of age or older and follow all rules to participate. Entering the contest constitutes full and complete acceptance of, and a warranty that the entrant has read, understands and agrees to, all contest terms and conditions, including without limitation all of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLCContest Rules ("Official Rules") and The Old Schoolhouse® MagazineWriter Guidelines and Terms and Conditions for Submitting Queries. All Official Rules apply. Entry also constitutes full consent and unlimited permission for Company to print, publish, broadcast and use all intellectual property and personal information submitted as part of the Contest entry on the Internet and in any and all Company publications in accordance with the Rules. Entries become the sole property of Company and will not be returned. Employees and independent contractors of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, Contest sponsors, individuals or entities furnishing Contest prizes and their family members may not participate in this contest. Company reserves the sole, discretionary right to determine contest winners and to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the contest or the Rules at any time with or without notice or cause, subject to applicable law. See Official Rules for details.

No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law.

For a full copy of the Official Rules, please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine: Official Rules Request, PO Box 8426, Gray, TN 37615